“It was evident we didn't play very well (against the Chargers and Broncos),” Kiffin said. “I've said all along, it takes a little bit (of time to learn this defense). Guys are learning our system better right now. They say, 'I'm here. I got this (assignment).'”

“Young players have eyes all over the place, and they're trying to see too much and, consequently, they don't see anything,” Garrett said Monday. “It's like being in Times Square on New Year's Eve. Everything seems real fast. There's a lot of action, but you're really not seeing anything to help you be productive on that particular play.”

In Philadelphia, the banged-up Cowboys improved to 4-3 by employing a simple game plan against Chip Kelly's up-tempo, spread attack that focused primarily on stopping the Eagles' top-ranked rushing attack.

Philadelphia racked up at least 400 yards in each of its first six games, something only three other teams in NFL history had managed. But with the Cowboys stifling league rushing leader LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, who entered the game leading the league in receiving yards, the Eagles managed just 278 yards.

It was an impressive showing that came with franchise sacks-leader DeMarcus Ware on the sideline with a quad injury.

“We challenged our guys to defend the run first and foremost, set the edges, rally to the football and tackle,” Garrett said. “We did all those things, and the guys on the back end did an outstanding job covering. We played zone, but when there were man opportunities, our guys covered them really, really well.”

McCoy finished with just 55 yards on 18 totes. Blanketed by cornerback Brandon Carr, Jackson had only three catches for 21 yards.

But cynics point out the Cowboys did all that against a team that received wretched quarterback play from Nick Foles and rookie Matt Barkley, who entered in the fourth quarter after Foles suffered a concussion. Next up is Detroit (4-3) with strong-armed passer Matthew Stafford and all-world receiver Calvin Johnson.

“You just go out there and play,” Garrett said. “You've got to get better from game to game and week to week. Hopefully, we've improved over the course of the first seven games of the season.”

Austin signed: In yet another move to bolster their injury-ravaged defensive line, Dallas signed tackle Marvin Austin on Monday. A second-round pick by the New York Giants in 2011, he was scouted heavily by the Cowboys coming out of North Carolina.

“He's a good player,” Garrett said. “He's a guy we thought a lot of coming out of school. He's one of those guys we kept our eye on. We'd like to tap into some of that ability that caused him to be such a high draft pick.”